Protests mount in Italy over plans to move Syrian chemical weapons

By
Euronews

A Danish cargo ship is waiting to return to the Syrian port of Latakia. There it will take on board more chemicals some of the most dangerous materials from the Syrian conflict.

A Russian missile cruiser and a Chinese frigate are providing joint maritime security. It is the first joint military operation between the two countries.

The head of the UN chemicals watchdog has admitted the amount of chemicals which had arrived at Latakia for shipment is not that high.The process has been slowed down due to security concerns.

Around 60 containers with the chemicals including mustard gas will be transferred to a US ship in the Italian port of Gioia Tauro one of the largest in Italy before being destroyed somewhere at sea.

The choice of the port announced by the Italian government has sparked protests. Local officials reportedly slammed the move as undemocratic. The government said the transfer will take place using cranes, the containers would not touch land. The whole process could be completed by the end of June.